Pennsylvania Association for Gifted Education (PAGE) ↗
Advocacy and resources for gifted learners, their parents, and educators. Offers a helpline, local affiliates, and conferences to help families and schools support gifted students.
MORE KIDS, MORE SYSTEMS
A little less searching.
A little more help.
Parenting and all the things nobody warned us about.
Helpful starting points for Pennsylvania families, with Pittsburgh and Allegheny County resources in the mix. I’m a mom sharing resources—not an attorney or medical professional. Each organization can explain its services and eligibility.
40 resources to explore
Links open in a new tab. Programs and eligibility can change; check with the organization for current information.
Education
Understanding Your Child’s IEP
A simple chart explaining each IEP section and questions parents can ask, with the original PaTTAN PDF.
PEAL Center
Pennsylvania information, training, and support for families navigating disability, special education, and special healthcare needs.
PEAL Training Offerings
Workshops, webinars, and training about IEPs, advocacy, and the transition to adulthood.
Family Leadership Institute
Leadership training for families, including IEPs, 504 plans, Medicaid, waivers, and care mapping.
Wrightslaw Conference — Past Event
This page describes the September 17, 2026 special education law and advocacy conference. It is a past event; check PEAL for future opportunities.
RMU Trees Network
Resources, education, and support for families of children and young adults with intellectual disabilities.
AIU Early Childhood Education
Early childhood programs and preschool early intervention for eligible Allegheny County children ages 3–5.
AIU Special Education-Related Services
Information about school-based speech, occupational and physical therapy, vision, and hearing supports.
UPMC Special Educational Resources
Links to educational resources for children with disabilities and learning or developmental needs.
See the Pennsylvania special education timelines chart ↓
Understand your child’s IEP: a basic parent guide ↓
Waivers & Disability Supports
Office of Developmental Supports — Allegheny County
County information about eligibility, intake, support coordination, and services for people with developmental disabilities and related needs.
Individual Support Plan (ISP) Fact Sheet
An Allegheny County guide to the ISP, the planning team, and documenting needs, goals, health, and safety. PDF.
Waiver Services, Providers & Delivery
An Allegheny County fact sheet explaining waiver services, providers, and service delivery options. PDF.
Healthcare
Pennsylvania Health Law Project
Legal help and resources about accessing and keeping Medicaid coverage, covered services, and long-term supports.
LANTERN Initiative
Pediatric Palliative Care Coalition resources, care-planning tools, and connections for families caring for children with serious medical needs.
UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh
Find pediatric specialists, locations, appointment information, and family support services.
UPMC Pediatric Services Directory
Browse pediatric specialties and programs, with service descriptions and contact information.
UPMC Complex Care Center
Care coordination and support for eligible children with complex medical needs and their caregivers.
UPMC Visit Navigation
Help coordinating two or more appointments within the same month.
UPMC Emergency & Express Care Wait Times
Estimated emergency department wait times and Express Care location information. Estimates are not guaranteed.
Advocacy
Director’s Action Line — Allegheny County DHS
A place to raise questions, concerns, or complaints about county human services.
UPMC Patient Relations
Help addressing concerns about care, communication, and the patient or family experience.
UPMC Family Forum
Information about family participation in improving care. A new version is being developed; contact the hospital for current opportunities.
C2P2 — Partners in Policymaking
Leadership and policy advocacy training for people with disabilities and parents of children with disabilities.
Pitt LEND Center
Interdisciplinary disability leadership training that includes professionals, students, and family members.
Mental Health
Pennsylvania Network for Student Assistance Services
Learn about the school-based Student Assistance Program (SAP), which helps identify mental health and substance use barriers to student success.
Family Support, Foster Care & Adoption
Parent to Parent of Pennsylvania
Connect with a peer who understands parenting someone with a disability or special healthcare need.
Pennsylvania State Resource Family Association
Support, education, advocacy, and resources for foster, adoptive, and kinship families.
Foster Love Project
Pittsburgh-area practical goods and support programs for children and families involved in foster care, kinship care, and adoption.
Benefits & Financial Support
COMPASS — Pennsylvania Benefits Portal
Check potential eligibility, apply for or renew benefits, and manage information for programs such as Medical Assistance, CHIP, SNAP, and cash assistance.
PA ABLE Savings Program
Information about savings accounts for eligible people with disabilities, qualified expenses, and how accounts interact with certain benefits.
College & Employment
Pennsylvania Foster Care College Resources
College funding, tuition waiver information, scholarships, and campus resources for students with foster care experience.
PHEAA Foster Care to College
Information about FosterEd, Chafee education grants, financial aid, and college planning.
Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR)
Employment and school-to-work support for eligible people with disabilities, including counseling, training, and job placement.
Transportation & Accessibility
Medical Assistance Transportation Program
Transportation assistance for eligible Medical Assistance recipients traveling to covered healthcare services.
Pennsylvania Disability Parking Placards
Eligibility information and instructions to apply for, renew, or replace a disability parking placard.
IBCCES Accessibility Card
Register accessibility needs for participating attractions. The card is not admission and does not guarantee a particular accommodation.
Recreation & Faith
All-Star Athletics & Gymnastics
Class information, including adapted gymnastics and fitness options. Contact the program for current schedules and availability.
North Way Autism Ministry
Inclusive church participation and sensory supports at participating campuses. Contact the ministry before a first visit.
Sensory-Friendly Guide to Pittsburgh
Ideas for attractions, museums, performances, and outings with sensory supports. Confirm current offerings with each venue.
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EDUCATION
Understanding Your Child’s IEP
A basic parent guide adapted from PaTTAN’s Engaging Families in the IEP Process: A Guide for Schools. Your observations, priorities, and questions belong in the discussion.
| IEP section | What it covers | Ask the team |
|---|---|---|
| Meeting information | Contacts, participants, and signatures. Signing attendance does not mean agreement. | What am I signing? |
| I. Special considerations | Communication, behavior, vision, hearing, language, and assistive technology. | Which needs require supports? |
| II. Present levels | Current strengths, challenges, academic skills, and everyday functioning. | Does this reflect my child? |
| III. Transition services | Planning for education, work, and adult life, beginning by age 14. | How are we preparing? |
| IV. Assessments | School and state tests and testing accommodations. | What testing supports help? |
| V. Annual goals | Measurable skills to develop and how progress is tracked. | How will progress be measured? |
| VI. Special education | Individualized instruction, accommodations, services, staff supports, gifted supports, and extended school year. | Who provides what, how often? |
| VII. Educational placement | Learning setting, level of support, and inclusion with peers. | What would support inclusion? |
| VIII. PennData | Reporting time spent in general education settings. | How is that calculated? |
Read the original PaTTAN guide (PDF) ↗
Parent summary of the April 2026 PaTTAN publication.
SAVE THE DATE. AND THE EMAIL.
Pennsylvania Special Education Timelines
A quick guide for school-age students in public school districts under Chapter 14. Preschool early intervention, gifted education, and charter schools can have different rules.
| Step | Timeline | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Ask verbally for an evaluation | 10 calendar days | The school provides the permission-to-evaluate form within 10 calendar days of an oral request. Keep a written record of your request. |
| Initial evaluation and report | 60 calendar days | Starts when the school receives signed parental consent. The summer interval between the spring and fall school terms is excluded. |
| Report before the IEP meeting | At least 10 school days | Parents receive the evaluation or reevaluation report at least 10 school days before the meeting, unless they waive this period in writing. |
| Develop the initial IEP | 30 calendar days | After the determination that the child needs special education and related services. |
| Implement the IEP | No later than 10 school days | After IEP completion, as soon as possible. Initial special education services require parental consent. |
| Review the IEP | At least annually | Parents or other team members can request a meeting sooner when concerns arise. |
| Reevaluate | At least every 3 years | Unless the parent and school agree that a reevaluation is unnecessary. Earlier reevaluation may be needed. |
| Intellectual disability reevaluation | At least every 2 years | Pennsylvania Chapter 14 requires this shorter interval. |
| Complete a reevaluation | 60 calendar days | Excludes the summer interval. Plan ahead so it is completed by the required reevaluation date. |
| Transition planning | By age 14 | The IEP includes postsecondary goals for education, employment, and independent living when appropriate. |
Calendar days include weekends and holidays. School days are days students attend school. The summer exclusion applies to evaluation timelines, not every deadline. Specific exceptions may apply.
Sources: PA Office for Dispute Resolution · PA Chapter 14 · IDEA reevaluation rules. Reviewed October 2026.
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